Does it seem like nothing is happening in the work search? Despite your best intentions to find a new job, change careers or pursue an entrepreneurial path, do things seem to have stalled out? Take heart. Throughout your work search campaign, you can expect exciting times when you see progress and periods of real disappointment. It’s the dynamic nature of the process. The secret is to manage fair weather and the doldrums with equal finesse.

The doldrums live up to the name

You may be familiar with the area of ocean known as the doldrums. Usually located between 5° north and 5° south of the equator, sailors report delays of days (or even weeks) there. Also called the equatorial calms, the extremely light and unpredictable winds trap ships for long stretches of time without enough wind to power their sails.

Are you stuck in your work search?

Everyone who pursues meaningful goals goes through the doldrums. It’s a part of the process of change.

When you feel discouraged about finding the right work, you temporarily lose focus. Your attention wanders, and your interest in the project fades. You’re easily distracted with other things. One day you find you haven’t been working your action plan with any commitment.

Taking a break can refresh you. You return to the work search feeling rejuvenated. Standing back from a project can help clear your mind, give you a new perspective, a breath of fresh air, a creative pause.

But staying in the doldrums too long is the real danger. It can be very difficult to pick up where you left off when you try to resume course.

Some people just give up. At this writing there were 1.2 million discouraged workers. Discouraged workers are persons not currently looking for work because they believe no jobs are available for them. -U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

How to get underway again

1.  Never give up! You’ve already invested so much in yourself—the thought, time and energy to achieve your goals. You richly deserve to accomplish what you set out to do.

2.  Get back in touch emotionally with your goals and where you want to go. Emotional energy is the motivator that powers your will to persevere.

When you’re feeling scattered and out of sorts, gather your energy together—apply it wholeheartedly to your project.

3.  Strategic action will help you jump start your search and get you underway again. Design a personal marketing plan that includes sourcing prospective employers or clients, researching and preparing the approach. An action plan is a living document. Revise it as needed, work it every day.

You’ve come much too far in your search to find the right work to give up. Recommit to doing what it takes to accomplish your dreams.

Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after another. -Walter Elliott

Today’s question

Have you been thrown off your focus when nothing seems to be happening in your work search? What helps you get back on point?